STEP STEP STEP 01 02 03 MANDATORY QUARANTINE IDENTIFICATION PRISON-LIKE STRUCTURE STEP 04 STEP 05 AFTER A NEGATIVE DECISION PRE-REMOVAL DETENTION 3.2 Mandatory De Facto Detention in the Quarantine Zones From March 2020 to 25 November 2022, asylum seekers arriving to the Greek hotspots were required to undergo a mandatory quarantine period of five to fifteen days, which could be extended for all in quarantine if any individual member of the quarantined group presented symptoms of COVID-19.[119] This policy continued seven months after the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees appealed to states to lift remaining pandemicrelated asylum restrictions in May 2022.[120] On the basis of Joint Ministerial Decision 51236/22,[121] people seeking asylum were tested for COVID-19 and placed in quarantine for a minimum period of 15 days in 2020 and later 5 days towards the end of 2022. Upon their arrival to the CCAC people were required to do a COVID-19 test. Regardless of the result, they were required to undergo the minimum quarantine period. After the minimum days, individuals were subjected to a second COVID-19 test: if one person tested positive in a quarantine group, which was defined as the whole arrival group, their quarantine would continue. After a minimum additional 5 days, the authorities would check for symptoms. If symptoms regressed, their quarantine finished and people were required to wear a medical mask for another 5 days. If symptoms persisted and there was fever, they remained isolated until symptoms regressed. [119] Information provided by the Reception and Identification Service, quoted in European Council of Refugees and Exiles Asylum Information Database ‘Reception and Identification Procedure: Greece’. 2021. Available here. [120] UNHCR. 2022. UN High Commissioner for Refugees calls on states to lift remaining pandemicrelated asylum restrictions. Available here. [121] Published in Government Gazette sheet no. 4756/B/09.09.22. See Annex II of the Joint Ministerial Decision on Measures Against The Appearance And Spread Of Coronavirus Covid-19 In The Centers Reception And Identification (C.y.t.), In Closed Controlled Structures (C.e.d.), In Controlled Temporary Accommodation Structures For Asylum Seekers And In The Accommodation Structures Of Third Country Citizens In The Entire Territory; the last renewal was by Joint Ministerial Decision No. Δ1α/Γ.Π.οικ.61055/27-10-2022 (published in Government gazette sheet no 5563/Β/27-10-2022). Page 33